3 posts tagged “public radio”
I saw Hannibal a few months ago at Jokes N Notes. The thing about Jokes N Notes is that a lot of comics come through to test out new material so sometimes, they bomb. Hannibal didn't get side splitting laughs that night and I'd almost written him off. Then, yesterday morning, on the drive to work, I heard him again on Chicago Public Radio's 848 and they played a few clips from his act. I had to reconsider my opinion because he had me giggling all the way to work.
Interesting comic, well known in Chicago and is playing this week at Zanies http://www.zanies.com/ in Vernon Hills
Find out more about him at http://www.myspace.com/comedianhannibal
Half Priced Tickets to NPR's Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!: 03/22/2007 - 07/12/2007
Live Tapings from Chicago Public Radio @ Chase Auditorium - 10 S. Dearborn St.
Come be in the audience for a taping of the hilarious weekly news quiz from NPR and Chicago Public Radio, Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!. Each week on the radio you can test your knowledge against some of the best and brightest in the news and entertainment world while figuring out what's real news and what's made up. Join Peter Sagal, Carl Kasell, and company for a fast-paced, irreverent look at the week's events.
Guest panelists rotate each week, with names such as:
Comedian Paula Poundstone
Author Roy Blount Jr.
Journalist P.J. O'Rourke
The Daily Show's Mo Rocca
I remember hating Public Radio pledge drives when I was young. My Mom would tune in with religious regularity during the drives. And that was all we'd listen to at home, in the car, anywhere there was a radio...for two weeks.
She’d sit by the radio, with a pen in hand, marking up a brochure listing all of the Thank You gifts and the various times during the drive that they would be offered. Most folks would be happy enough to get the 2 for 1 dining card that came with the basic membership. My Mom wanted multiple things. Mind you, the suggested levels of contribution to receive the gifts were usually twice the value of the gift. For example a $150 pledge would get you a free entrée at a high end restaurant you probably wouldn’t normally frequent. $75 would get you a tote bag or a cooler with the Public Radio Logo. Over the course of the two week drive, my Mom must’ve pledged over $500. My recent contribution to WGVU for $52 (and please split that between the Public TV and Public Radio) pales in comparison.
I am an official mouthpiece for Public Broadcasting. I am constantly retelling interesting stories I've heard on All Things Considered or Fresh Air and you'll hear me preaching that “Public Television is the only network who takes any responsibility for decent children’s, educational and artistic programming. Otherwise, I have to pay the cable company over $70 a month just to get Noggin’.” (My $52 pledge again pales even further)
What would my evenings be like without Piano Jazz with Marian McPartland who sounds like she’s about 100 years old when she speaks, but plays the piano with the exquisite fluidity of the most nimble of youth??
And what would my Saturday nights be like without Blues Before Sunrise filling my bedroom with the Sweet Sounds of Home??
I cannot imagine my weekend drives to Chicago without the company of A Prairie Home Companion and Garrison Keillor's heelarious monologues - “The News from Lake Wobegon ".
Public Radio can only survive with the generous donations of folks like my Mom who appreciates the quality of broadcasting and what that broadcasting does to enrich our lives and realize that it is our responsibility to sustain the programming and give until it helps.
Join me in giving and become a member of your local Public Broadcasting Station.
